Dive Sites in Northumberland
The Farne Islands off Northumberland offer one of the UK's most unique and joyful diving experiences — hundreds of playful Atlantic grey seals that actively seek out and interact with divers underwater. Beyond the seals, the rocky reefs and kelp forests are rich with crabs, lobsters, anemones, and a wonderful diversity of fish and invertebrate life.
The reef around Longstone Lighthouse — scene of Grace Darling's famous 1838 rescue — offers excellent shallow diving across kelp-covered boulders rich with large edible crabs, lobsters, sea urchins, and colourful anemones. The historic lighthouse provides a beautiful backdrop above water, and seals frequently join divers exploring the rocky outcrops.
The SS Somali is a cargo ship wreck lying near the Farne Islands in the North Sea, resting at around 28 m and offering a fine combination of wreck exploration and marine life. The site attracts large conger eels, bib, and pollack, and the proximity to the Farne Islands means seal encounters are not uncommon.
Dive Schools in Northumberland
Aquanaut Diving offers PADI training from Open Water to Divemaster alongside regular Farne Islands dive charters, wreck diving on the SS Somali, and guided reef dives along the Northumberland coast. Based in Seahouses, they provide a welcoming centre for visiting divers looking to experience the magic of diving with Northumberland's famous grey seals.
Farne Island Divers specialises in guided dive trips to the Farne Islands — the UK's best seal diving destination — operating fast rigid inflatables from Seahouses harbour with full National Trust landing permissions. Their divemasters are expert at guiding groups through the seal colonies and the best local wrecks with a keen eye for wildlife and safety.